Person A and person B are two separate and distinct individuals. Each has his or her own level of self-esteem, confidence, values, and ethics. They both have certain intuitive abilities to manage his or her emotions and behaviors with social supports for help. They each have their own interests, hobbies, hopes, and dreams. And both are on the path, as we all are, to receive the knowledge, insight, and understanding that life’s journey will bring.
If person A and person B meet along the way, they may choose to walk the path together. They are two people on separate journeys walking the same path. They walk together because they have chosen to do so. They may come to care deeply for one another and form a rocksolid commitment to remain together on the path forever. Still they remain two people on separate journeys walking the same path.
In order for two separate and distinct individuals to walk the path together, they must learn the art of compromise. Debating ideas and beliefs is best done with empathy and compassion. Sadly, many strong feelings and emotions can cloud the view. It is important not to lose sight of the reason for compromise, and that is the choice to walk the path together. Compromise requires communication rooted in caring and respect for one another. Many couples lose sight of caring compromise and become lost along the way. This is what lost looks like: saying or doing cruel things to each other, losing identity and becoming overly needy and dependent on each other. Lost looks like subjecting one another to physical or emotional pain, trying to control or force, and losing the ability to manage emotions and behaviors.
Love understands this. Love allows person A and person B to remain two separate and distinct individuals who have made the choice to travel the path together. Love shines a light so they can find the path if they get lost along the way. Love allows for each to want the other to experience his or her hopes and dreams to the fullest. Love provides strength and guidance to help them remain supportive of one another’s journey, as they walk the path together.